Free The Third Riel Conspiracy by Stephen Legault

unearth these other motives is very curious indeed. What is your stake in this matter? Why are you so determined to hold La Biche for this crime?”
    Dickenson laughed. It was a harsh, staccato sound and it made Durrant think about a caged animal. “Sergeant Wallace, the only interference that I am posing is to your unauthorized and unbecoming intrusion into a case of murder you have no right to investigate. I suggest that if you wish to keep your stripes you go back to Fort Calgary at once. Maybe there you can find some gentle undertaking that won’t tax your handicaps and result in you being ousted from the force.” Dickenson’s laughter trailed off and he fixed Wallace with a dark stare. “If you’re not careful to mind your own business, Sergeant, you may find yourself knocked down to the rank of private before this campaign is through.”
    Dickenson strode off, leaving Durrant standing alone. It was time to investigate Sub-Inspector Dickenson’s role in the death of Reuben Wake.

SEVEN
SINS OF THE FATHER
    MAY 15, 1885.
    They walked out the half-mile between the zareba and the cemetery on the Mission Ridge, overlooking the town of Batoche. It was early in the afternoon and the sky was light and there were birds flying through the groves of aspens in small flocks, dodging this way and that, all together as if one giant synchronized creature.
    â€œWe’re not going to find him here.” Garnet had his Martini-Henry over his shoulder and was aware that several of the Métis loyal to Riel had not been caught, including Gabriel Dumont.
    â€œIf we don’t look here, then we can’t eliminate it as a possibility.” Durrant’s voice betrayed his own resolution that the body of Reuben Wake would not be discovered in the cemetery on the Mission Ridge.
    â€œIt’s a nice afternoon for a walk,” said Saul, breathing deeply. “With the exception of a few hours on the last day of fighting when I set up a field station in the village, I haven’t been outside of the zareba.”
    Garnet looked at him and said, “Marvellous country, this Saskatchewan Territory. Completely understandable why the Métis didn’t want to give up their access to the Saskatchewan River. Without it, it would be tough to farm. Here we are,” he said as they came upon the church.
    â€œLooks like the mission didn’t entirely miss the sting of battle.” Durrant pointed with his cane at the corner of the building, where it had been raked by the Gatling gun on the first day of the struggle. The three men turned south at the church and followed a path down through a small ravine and up onto the plateau where the cemetery was cloistered, overlooking a broad bend in the South Saskatchewan River.
    â€œNot a bad view if you have to suffer it for eternity,” said Saul.
    Durrant noted that the fence had been demolished and several of the headstones knocked to the ground during the fray. He set one right.
    â€œAny sign of recent activity?” Durrant asked. Both of his companions shook their heads. “Let’s look around in the trees. If someone was to bury our man Wake, and wanted to do it in secret, then it’s unlikely that they’d line him up in a plot all neat and tidy.”
    The three men fanned out and searched through the woods. They found no evidence of recent digging except for several Métis rifle pits, each pocked and scarred by the heavy fire from the Dominion soldiers who had attacked along this bluff.
    â€œNo sign, Durrant,” said Saul.
    â€œHis corpse could be just about anywhere,” conceded Garnet.
    Durrant looked at his two friends. “What are we to make of this disappearance?”
    â€œIt’s bloody well odd,” said Garnet. “The man’s not been dead for thirty-six hours and someone has spirited away with his cadaver.”
    â€œIt’s certainly not normal battlefield procedure, and despite him